Railway car



Feb. 20, 1940. F, T D

RAILWAY CAR Filed April 30, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 szygnld jg z iad M 1/.MA

ATTORNEY Feb. 20, 1940. s, F. UDSTAD RAILWAY CAR Filed April 30, 1938 5Sheets-Sheet 2 lll'lllllllllllll'lllllllll & INVENTOR AS Zy V dZd ffzzsiad a RNEY' ATTO Feb. 20, 1940. s. F. UDSTAD RAILWAY CAR Filed Aprilso} less 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ill! I I'll lls 7 INVENTOR d/TZ/dsiad Szy v aZATTORN EY Feb. 20, 1940. s, F. UDSTAD RAILWAY CAR Fild April 30, 1933 5Sheets-Sheet 4 NEY INVENTOR BY Zd EUasZad ATTZQ yak Sign 5 sheetsssh eet 5 EEEI-EEZ-l-E RAILWAY CAR Filed April so, less.

s. F. UDSTAD Feb. 20, 1940.

INVENTOR ald FMisZad Patented Feb.2o,194o

UNITED STATE PATENT o1=1=1ce RAILWAY CAR Sigvald F. Udstad, Berwick,Pa., assignor to American Car and Foundry Company, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New Jersey Application April 30, 1938, Serial No. 205,3777 v 19 Claims. (01. 105-427) v l This invention relates to railway carsin general and in particular to railway cars of the streamlined typewherein the step wells are closed by movable skirting. Previousconstructions 5 using folding steps and movable skirting have requiredthe carrying of the load past the step well necessitating very heavyreinforcements to transmit the side wall loads to the center sill at thestep well which resulted in a much heavier car than otherwise required.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide amovable lower section of skirting which is so arranged and operated asto permit the lower side wall chord to be carried directly past the stepwell thus obviating the use of heavy braces extended to the center sill.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a movable skirtingwhich may be lowered away from the side door through an opening in thelower rigid step tread. r I

"A still further object of the invention is the provision of a movableskirting which is shifted in 'unison with the trap door in order toclear the step well. V l Ayet further object of the invention is theprovision of amovable skirting which may be retracted from a position inalignmentwith the car side wall in order toclear a rigid part of the carstructure and then lowered to a supporting position where a portionthereof forms at least a part of a step tread.

These andother objects of the invention will be apparent to personsskilled in the art from a study of the following description and accom-35, panying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a broken sectional view taken through the step well with theretractable skirt in line with the car wall and trap door closed;

Fig. 2 is a broken horizontal sectional view taken through the step wellwith parts in the position shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a broken sectional view similar to 5 Figure 1 but showing theskirting lowered and the trap door raised in order to clear the stepwell for use;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

5 Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the retractable skirting section asviewed from inside the step well, and i Fig. 7 is .a detail view showinga slight modification in the linkage connectingthe trap door 55 andskirting.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it

- will be seen that the invention has been-shown as applied to a railwaycar having curved side walls 2 suitably braced by side posts l which jare connected at their lower ends to a flanged 5 channel sill 6 formingthe lower chord of the side wall. Since the floor level is substantiallyabove the side sill and the car is intended for use without platforms,it is necessary that the side sills be terminated at the step wellsnecessitating the 10 carrying of the side wall loads past the step well;This is accomplishedin the present instanceby rigidly securing astructural member 8 of .Z or other form to the side sills, which memberis deflected downwardly from the sill and across the 15 step well thusineffect continuing thelower chord directly past the step well (Figs. 121154). The step well itself is formed by transversely extending platesl0 rigidly secured tovthe side walls by angular shaped members T2inwardly of the edges of the door opening and these plates ,and edges ofthe door opening areconnectedtogether and braced by means of W sectiondoor posts 14 whichin effect produce box sectionposts having opposedflanges defining the door .open- 25 ing and providing ledges I6 againstwhich'the side door may seal. The transverse plates l'fl have steptreads I8 and risers 20 securelyattached thereto by any suitable meansand are braced at their lower edges by angle membefZZ 0 secured to thelower chord 8 and to thecente'r sill. The bottom or lowermost tread inthe step well is preferably formed of a plurality of plates l8; as shownin Fig. 5, arranged to provide an opening for a purpose hereinafter setforth. The outer edge of one of the plates rests upon a pressed angleform member having one leg 24 thereof directed outwardly beyond the edgeof the tread, while the other piece of tread rests upon and is securedto the chord member 8, the latter. being 40 additionally braced at thestep well by an angle member having one leg 2'6 thereof extendedinwardly beyond the edge of the tread'part, thus providing, togetherwith the leg 24, ledges upon which a removable section of tread (laterto be alignment with the car side wall skirting. To accomplish this theouter plate is deflected inwardly along its side edges as at 56, thusproviding an offset flange t2 adapted to seat against resilient sealingmeans M (Fig. 2). The offset flanges d2 are connected by an inner finishplate 46, thus forming a rigid lower skirting section tothe upper edgeof which is attached on the inner side pan like pressings 38 adapted torigidly support a section of tread plate 59 which is movable with theretractable skirt. This movable section of tread platehas its inner edgesupported upon angle member 52 connecting the pan shaped pressings,while its outer edge is supported upon an outwardly directed flange 5formed on the upper edge or the movable skirting and is adapted toengage with and seal against a downwardly and outwardly directed flange53 formed on the loweredge of the side door. In order that themovable'skirting may be operated a pair of triangular shaped pressings58 are secured to the lower side edges thereof and to which the outerportion of a rigid operating arm fill may be rigidly secured. The rigidoperating arms are formed with a substantially fiat surface (ii on theirlower face which merges into a downwardly and outwardly curved surface62 which in turn merges into an outwardly directed curved surface 63terminating at a rounded point 66 formed between surfaces and anupwardly curved surface 66 formed therebelow. The inner end of thecurvedsurface 65 merges into a reversely curved surface 61 which in turnmerges into the flat surface 88 forming the shank portion of theoperating arm. It is thus seen that each rigid operating arm is.provided on its lower side with a plurality of curved and straight cam.surfaces, certain of which cam surfaces are adapted to engage upper andlower spaced rollers ill and 1| carried by a casting 12 rigidly securedto the lower chord member 8 at the sides of the step well. In order tooperate the movable skirting the inner end of each rigid operating armis pivotally connected as at 13 to bellcrank lever 14 keyed or otherwisesecured to a transverse shaft 15 journaled as at 18 in; the side platesof the step well. One end of the transverse shaft is extended beyond itsjournal bearing for a rigid connection to bell crank arm 11 pivotallyconnected at one end to a thrust rod 18, the other end of which ispivotally connected to a thrust rm 19 rigidly secured to a pipe or othermeans 80 forming the customary pivot mounting for trap door BI pivotallycarried by one of the plates forming the step well side. As clearlyshown in Figs. 2 and 8 the thrust arm 19 extends through-the step wellside plate, thus causing a downward movement of the thrust rod 18 whenthe trap door is lifted.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows and assuming the parts tobe in their running position, namely, that shown'in Figs. 1, 2 and 3:When it is desired to clear the step well for use of passenger'slsliding bolt 32 will be lifted recrank arm 14 is pivoted to the carleasing the movable skirting, after which the trap door will be unlockedand lifted in exactly the same way as is now done. During lifting of thetrap door arm 19 will move downwardly causing thrust rod 18 to movedownwardly and in turn rotating bellcranks 11 and i l downwardly, thuscausing the pivotal connection 13 to move downwardly on an are apredetermined amount dependent upon the relative lengths of the varic'usbellcrank levers. The downward movement of the pivotal connection 13will also be accompanied with an inward movement since the bellstructureabove the pivotal connection and toward the center of the car. At thestart of the downward and inward movement of pivotal connection 13 theoperating arm 66 will act as a lever causing the upper portion of themovable skirt to tilt inwardly slightly away from the side door, alsocausing the flat portion 6| to assume a slightly inclined positioninstead of the horizontal position shown in Figure 1. At the same timethat the movable .skirtis tilting it will also be moving downwardly andinwardly under control of the rollers and 18. .While the pivotalconnection 13 is moving downwardly and inwardly the roller will movefirst along reversely curved surface 51, then along, the upwardly curvedsurface 66 until such time as the roundedtip M is about to move off theroller ll. As soon as the tip 64 starts to move off the top of theroller H, the end of the fiat surface (ii is also ready to move oif theroller 16 (line and dash position Fig. 4). Continued movement oftherpivotal connection '33 causes the outer surface of flange 42 of theskirt to roll along rollers ill and15 until such time as the trapdoor-is fullyraised and the angle 52 and flange fi l of the movableskirt have engaged the legs 24 and 28 respectively of the anglesadjacent the opening. in the lower tread plate (full line position Fig.4) In this final position it is seen that the movable tread plate 58 isrigidly supported upon the angles and forms a continuation of the rigidlower tread plate. With the parts in this position the side door may beswung inwardlyoverlapping the step well side wall and passengers mayfreely enter or leave the vehicle. In closing the step well the sidedoor will first be closed, after. which the trap door will be loweredand during its lowering will through the linkage cause an upward andoutwardthrust to be applied at the pivotal connection 13. This upwardand outward thrust willcause the movable skirt to first roll alongroller 19 then rollers 19 and H together until such time as upwardlycurved surface 66 and flat portion 5! assume control. As soon as theseportions have assumed control the skirt will move substantiallylaterally of the vehicle, while at the same time tilting slightly untilit has assumed its operative position, after which bolt 32 may he sliddownwardly locking the door and skirt together. It is evident from theabove description and drawings that the center of gravity of the movableskirt assembly is at a considerable distance outward from the pivotalconnection lt and accordingly the assembly tends to rotate outwardly butis prevented by the rollers 1i! and 1! which cooperate with the camsurfaces of the skirt and operating arm to control the movements of theassembly.

Ordinarily the weight of the movable skirt assembly is suiilcient toinsure proper movements thereof, but in case an extremely lightconstruction is used it may be advisable to extend the rigid operatingarm beyond the pivotal connecsurfaces of the'movable ski rt assembly andthe controlling rollers on ,thecar structure.

It is evident from the'preceding description that the movable skirt ismoved inwardly or retracted from the car side wall during the first partof its movement, after which it is lowered to the, final positioninwhich a part thereof, namely, the treadsurface, forms a partof the lowertread of the steps. It will be evident that the movable tread portion 50may be increased or decreased within reasonable limits to form anydesired portion of the lower step tread and it will also be evident thatthe form oi the cam surfaces onthe rigid operating arm may be changed tocause slightly differing movements of the movable skirt assembly.

While the invention: has been described more orless in detail, it isobvious that variousmodifications and rearrangementslof parts, otherthan thosementioned above, will be apparent to per sons skilled in theart and allsuch modifications and rearrangements of partsarecontemplated as fall within the scope of the following claims. Whatis claimed is: a

1. In a vehicle, a body having aside wall, a side door in said sidewall, a floor for said body having a cutaway portion opposite said door,a plurality of steps securedto the body in the cutaway-portion toprovide a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lowerstep having a fixed'tread section and. a removable tread section,saidfixed tread section having an opening therein adapted to receive theremovable tread section to complete the tread,.and meansto raise-l saidremovable tread section to an inoperative position in spaced relationtothe fixedtread, saidremovabletread section forming in part closuremeans for the wall opening beneath said door. v v 1 i 2. In a vehicle, abody havingaside wall, a side doorin said side wall, a floor for saidbodyhaving a cutaway portion opposite said door, a plurality of stepssecured to the bodyin the cutaway portion to provide a flight of stepsleading downward from the floor to a lower step having a fixed treadsection and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section havingan opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread sectiontocomplete the tread, said removable tread section being se- {1 cured,to a movable portion of the side wall adapted to close the wall openingbeneath the side door, and means connected to said movable portion ofthe side wall and removable tread section to move the latter to aninoperative position 9 in spaced relation to the fixed tread section andto i move the former substantially into alignment with the side wall. a

3. In a vehicle, a body having a side wall, a side door in said sidewall, a floor, for said body having a cutaway portion opposite: saidside door, a trap door adapted when closed to cover the cutaway portionand to lie substantially flush with the floor, a plurality ofstepssecured to the body-in the cutaway portion thereby providing aflight of steps leading downward from the floor to-a lower step having afixed'tread section and a removable tread section, said fixed treadsection having an opening thereinadapted' to receive the removable treadsection to complete thetread, and means 1r1ovable treadsection formingin part closure means for the wall opening beneath said doors 4. In avehicle,1a body having a side wall, a side-door inxsaid side wall, afloor for saidbody having a cutaway portion opposite said side door,

aftrap dooradapted whenclosed to cover the cutaway portion and to liesubstantially flush with the'floor, a plurality of steps secured to thebody in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leadingdownward from the floor to a lower step having a fixed tread section anda removable tread section, said f xed tread section havi g an openingtherein adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete thetread, andjlmeans connecting said removable tread section and trapdoortogether for movement in unison, aid removable'tread section forminginpart closure means for the wall opening beneath said door, saidmeansbeing so constructed and arranged as to cause lowering of theremovable during raising of the trap. door to an inoperative positions l'15. In a vehicle, a ,body having a side wall, a sidedoor said sidewall, a floor'for said body having acutaway portion opposite said sidedoor, Ta'trap door adapted when closed to cover the cutaway portion'andto lie substantially flush with the floor, a plurality of steps securedto the body in thejcutaway portion thereby providing a flightofflstep'sjleading downwardfrom the floor to a lowerstep having a fixedtread section and a removable tread section, said fixed tread sectionhaving an opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread sectionto complete the tread, said removable tread being secured to a movableportion of the side wall adapted to close the wall opening beneath theside door, and means connecting said movable wall portion andremovabletread section to the trap door for movement in unison but inopposite directions. 1 j 6. In a vehicle, a body having a floor with acutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall havingan'opening therein at the cut- "away floor portion and having a sidedoor closing at least the upper portion of theopening, said side wallbeing constructed with a lower chord extending substantiallycontinuously from end to position in spaced relation to the fixed tread,

said removable tread section forming in part closure means for thewallopening beneath said .0 H l v ,7 In a vehicle, a body having a floorwith a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a sidewall havingan opening therein at thecutaway floor portion and having a sidedoorclosing at least the .upper portion of, theopening, said side wall beingconstructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuouslyfromend to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of stepssecured-to the body in the cutaway portion therebyproviding a fiight ofsteps leading downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lowerstep having a fixed tread section secured to the lower chord in the/wallopening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section havingan opening therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive theremovable tread section to complete the tread, said removable treadsection being secured to a movable portion of the side wall to form aunit adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door, and meansconnected to said unit so constructed and arranged as to move the unitpast the lower chord and portions thereof into substantial alignmentwith either the side wall or fixed'tread section.

8. In a vehicle, a body having a floor with a cutaway portionintermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein atthe cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least theupper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with alower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereofand across the wall opening, a plurality of steps secured to the body inthe cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downwardfrom the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixedtread section secured to the lower chord in the wall opening and aremovable tread section, said fixed tread section having an openingtherein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable treadsection to complete the tread, a trap door hinged to the body andadapted when closed to cover the flight of steps and to liesubstantially flush with the floor, and means connecting the trap doorand removable tread section, said removable tread section forming inpart closure means for the wall opening beneath said door, said meansbeing so constructed and arranged as to cause lowering of the removabletread section to an operative position inward of the lower chord duringraising of the trap door to an inoperative position thereby placing theflight'of steps in condition for use.

9. In a vehicle, a body having a floor with a cutaway portionintermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein atthe cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least theupper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed withalower chord extending substantially continuously from end to endthereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of steps secured to thebody in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps lead ingdownward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having afixed tread section s-ecure-:2 to the lower chord in the wall openingand a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an openintherein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable treadsection to complete the tread, said removable tread section beingsecured to a movable portion of the ide wall to form a unit adapted toclose the wall opening beneath the side door and above the lower chord,a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to'cover theflight of steps and to lie substantially flush with the floor, and meansconnecting the trap door and unit for movement in unison, said meansbeing so constructed and arranged as to move the unit past the lowerchord and portions thereof into substantial alignment with either theside wall or fixed tread section during lowering and raising of the trapdoor.

10. In a vehicle, a body having a floor with a cutaway'portionintermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein atthe cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least theupper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with alower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereofand across the wall opening, a plurality of stepssecured to the body inthe cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downwardfrom the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixedtread section secured to the lower chord in the wall opening and aremovable tread section, said fixed tread section having an openingtherein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable treadsection to complete the tread, a trap door hinged to the body andadapted when closed to cover the flight of steps and to liesubstantially flush with the floor, and means connecting the trap doorand removabletread section, said removable tread section forming in partclosure means for thewall opening beneath said door, said means being soconstructed and arranged as to cause lateral inward movement of theremovable tread section prior to lowering thereof in order to clear thelower chord during the raising of the trap door to an inoperativeposition.

'11. In a vehicle,'a body having a floor with a cutaway portionintermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein atthe cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least theupper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with alower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereofand across the wall opening, a plurality of steps-secured to the body inthe cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downwardfrom the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixedtread section secured to the lower chord in the wall opening and aremovable tread section, said fixed tread section having an openingtherein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable treadsection to complete the'tread, said removable tread section beingsecured to a movable portion of the side wall to form a unit adapted toclose the wall opening beneath the side door and above the lower chord,a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to cover theflight of steps, and means connecting the trap door and unit formovement in unison, said means being so constructed and arranged as tocause movement of the unit laterally inward to clear the lower chordprior to the lowering of the unit, said movement being accomplishedduring the raising of the trap door to an inoperative position therebyplacing the flight of steps in condition for use.

12. In avehicle, a bodyhaving a floor with a cutaway portionintermediate the ends thereoi, a side wall having an opening therein atthe cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least theupper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with alower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereofand across the wall opening adjacent the lower edge of the opening, aplurality of steps secured to the body in the cutaway portion with thelower step tread secured to the top chord, said lower tread being formedof relatively fixed plates with an opening there'm to receive aremovable plate, said removable plate being secured to a removable wallsection adapted to close the opening between the lower step tread andside door, said removable wall section normally positioned substantiallyin the plane of the side wall with the removable tread plate in spacedrelation to the fixed tread plate, and means connected to the removablewall section to cause lateral inward movement tim f16'."In a vehicle, abody havingalside walllwith 1 sameprior to the lowering thereof throughthe opening in the fixed tread plate, said means finally positioningjtheremovable tread plate substantially in alignment with the fixed treadplate with the removable wall section projecting therebelow. t

13. In a vehicle, a body having a side wall with an opening therein, afloor positioned above the lower edge" of the" sidewall, a plurality ofsteps secured to the body and extending from the floor substantially tothe lower edge of the side wall at the opening, a side door closing atleast the upper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to theside wall and extendling substantially from end to end of the car andacross the said opening beneath the lowermost step, a removable wallsection normally located in an in-use position substantially inalignment with the side wall for closing the remainder of the openingbetween the side door and lower chord, and means connected to theremovable wall section to move the same to an. out-of-use positioninward of and below the lower chord.

14. In a vehicle, a body having a side wall with an opening therein, afloor positioned above the lower edge of theside Wall, a plurality ofsteps secured to the body and extending from the floor to a lower stepsubstantially at the lower edge of the side wall adjacent the opening,aside door closing the upper portion of the opening, a lower chordsecured to the side wall andextending substantially from end to end ofthe car and across the said opening beneath the lower step, a removablewall section normally located in an in-use position substantially inalignment with the side wall for closing the remainder of the openingbetween the side door and lower chord and blocking access to the stepsfrom the exterior of the vehicle, a trap door normally located in anin-use position substantially in alignment with the floor for blockingaccess to the steps from the vehicle interior, and meansinterconnectin'gth e trap door and removable wall section whereby thelatter is moved to an out-of-use position inward of and below the lowerchord during raising of the trap door to out-of-use position therebyclearing the steps for use. i c l5. In a vehicle, abody having a sidewall with an opening therein, a floor positioned above the,

lower edge of the side wall, a plurality of steps secured to the bodyand extending from the floor to a lower step substantially at the loweredge of the side wall adjacent the opening, a side door closing theupper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to the side wallandextending substantially from end to end of the, car and across thesaid opening beneath the lower step, a removable wall section normallylocated in, an inno position substantially in alignment with the side w.l for closing the, remainder of the opening between the side door andlower chord and blocking access to thesteps from. the exterior of thevehicle, a trap door normally located in an in-use positionsubstantially in alignment with the floor for blocking access to thesteps from the vehicle interior, and means intercom-- nesting the trapdoor and removable wall section whereby the latter is moved to an-Out-of-use position inward of the lower chord during raising of the trapdoor to out-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use, saidmeans including a plurality of cam surfaces whereby the removable wallsection is moved laterally inward and then lowered through the lowerstep.

7 opening in the lower step.

an opening therein, a floor positioned above the lower edge of the sidewall, a plurality of steps secured to the body and .extendingfrom thefloor 1 to a'lower step substantially at the lower edge door closingtheupper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to the side walland extendingsubstantially from end' to end of the car and acrossthesaid opening beneath thel'owerstep, a removable wall section normallylocated in an in-use position substantiallyin alignment with of-useposition inward of the lower chord during raising of the trapdoor toout-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use, said meansincluding a plurality of cam surfaces cooperating with body carried camelements whereby the removable wallsection is moved laterally inwardfrom the side wall and then lowered through an 1'7. In a vehicle, a bodyhaving a sidewall with an opening therein, a floor positioned above thelower edge of the side wall, a plurality of 'of ,the side wall adjacentthe opening; aside steps secured to the body and extending from thefloor, to a lower step substantially at the lower edge of the side walladjacent the opening, a side door closing the upper portion of theopen-,

ing, a lower chord secured to the side wall and,

Y extending substantially from end to end of the car and across the sideopening beneath the lower step, a removable wallsection normally locatedin an in-us'e position substantially in alignment withthe side wall forclosing the remainder of the opening between the side door and lowerchord and blocking access to the steps from the exterior of the vehicle,a trap door normallylocated in an in-use position substantially inalignment with the floor for blocking access to the steps from thevehicle interior, and means interconnecting the trap door and removablewall secl tionwhereby the latter ismoved to an out-of-use positioninwardof the lower chord during raising of the trap door to out-of-useposition thereby clearing the steps for use, said means including aplurality of cam surfaces cooperating with body carried cam elementswhereby the removable wall section is moved laterally inwardfrom theside wall and then lowered through an opening in the lower step, andsaid removable wall section having a section of step tread securedthereto adapted to close the opening in the lower stepwhen theremovablewall section is fully lowered.

18. In a vehicle, a body having a side wall, a

side door in said side wall, astep well, a flight of steps securedftothe body in said step well Y and having a lower step positioned belowand in spaced relation to said door, retractable closure means forclosing the side of the step well below said door, said lower stephaving an opening U therein, a removable tread section secured tolandforming part of said closure means and adapted to be received in saidopening to complete said lower step, and means for moving said closuremeans substantially into alignment with said side wall to close the stepwell, said removable,

tread, section being so formed and arranged as I of steps secured to thebody in said step well and having a lower step positioned below and inspaced relation to said door, said lower step having a fixed treadsection and a removable tread section, said removable tread sectionbeing se- 10 cured to retractable closure means for closing the side ofthe step well below said door, and

-means for moving said retractable means and removable tread section,said removable tread section being adapted when in one position to forma seal between the retractable closure means and said door and inanother position to engage said fixed tread section and cooperatetherewith to complete said lower step.

SIGVALD F. UDSTAD.

